Srinagar, July 10: Days after the government fixed rates of poultry products, Kashmir Valley Poultry Farmers Association (KVPFA) on Saturday said that the decision of fixation of rates of poultry was decided without consulting them.
Tariq Elahi, a senior member of the association, while talking with news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that “the government is playing with the livelihood of over 5 lakh people and rates are fixed without consulting the farmers.”
He said that rates are very low as cost in making a chick of one kg is around Rs 141 while as the government has fixed rates lower than the production.
KVPFA has also written to Director Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs in this regard and have requested him to look into the matters of farmers and save the livelihood of 5 to 6 lakh people.
The letter “Save Poultry Industry (Farmers)” reads that with due regard and reverence, “it is to understand that poultry broiler production is an industry that involves the livelihood of more than five lakh people in various aspects of poultry farming and retail cum wholesale trades etc. In this connection, it is suggested and submitted that white meat (broiler meat) is best for human health in every respect but still its whole sale /retail rates are too low, due to which farmers are suffering constantly while as another kind of meat like Red meat is @ 600/kg cost of beef @ 400/kg, cost of skull meat is up to Rs.300/kg, cost of fish is around Rs. 300/kg and cheese is @250/kg. So this is total injustice with poultry farmers.”
“Do not forget we are manufacturers but while fixing rates, your Deptt. is always seeing wholesale/retail prices of Punjab etc. Which is trading not manufacturing? Fail to understand how can fix rates of manufacturing…? In no way the cost of production /wholesale/retail in neighboring states as the production cost is much higher in the valley due to many reasons, which is well known to everyone,” It adds.
“In order to encourage and give a boost to the local poultry farming in the valley, the production cost is too calculated on a fortnightly/ monthly basis under the experts from Animal Husbandry Department Kashmir in collaboration with Association and fixed at minimum 10 percent profit,” the letter reads.
“Our request to the government is to kindly come up with clear broiler rate policy so that neither farmers nor other people associated with industry may suffer in any way as the livelihood of more than 5 to 6 lakh people associated with the industry in J&K needs protection. Further, like all other states are fixing process /mechanism may be handed over to trade bodies and the Department of Animal husbandry jointly. The animal husbandry department is fully aware of everything regarding the poultry industry,” the letter reads.
“Please write to Govt. that being demand and supply item allows Association in collaboration with Animal Husbandry Deptt. to decrease rates keeping everything in mind, otherwise, the livelihood of 5.00 lac people will be in danger. Keeping in view, that valley is totally dependent on the neighboring states of Punjab Haryana and particular for all sorts of raw materials (chicks, feed, maize and farm equipment etc.) as such reach at for higher costs thus adding to the burden of the cost of production,” it said.
“In J&K, besides other problems there are two main complicated problems which are directly affected (Heavily) on the poultry farmers business in terms of marketing,” It adds
“Some greedy poultry lifters are importing out dated dressed chicken and are selling me in open market. But doing on one hand they are playing with the health of common people as it has been 100% proved that said dressed birds are unhygienic /jatka/ out-dated and on other hand killing local poultry market of J&K. So please stop them immediately. Sir, Hope you will take the contents of this letter in a most positive manner and will do the needful immediately and oblige,” it adds further.
—(KNO)
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